should inversion for unreal

[aysaa]

Hi,

If you see should Paul, he would be happy to hear your news.

It is OK, but I would like to ask if we can invert it with 'should' or not. For example;

-Should you see Paul, he would be happy to hear your news.

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

Yes

 

[aysaa]

Sorry I have forgotten to write 'should' in the first sentence. It should have been ' if you should see Paul, he would be happy to hear your news'. Thanks for the answer. :up:

 

[BobK]

I'm sure that order is the one that 5jj thought he was agreeing to. ;-)

b

 

[5jj]

I m sure that order is the one that 5jj thought he was agreeing to. ;-)

That's a kind thought with hindsight (I almost used that excuse myself), but I was actually agreeing to the original "If you seePaul, he would be happy to hear your news".

I spent some time agonising (OK, perhaps that words a little too strong) about whether that was acceptable, and finally decided that, although it breaks the traditional conditional 'rules', it's natural enough in conversation. I think that this is because 'he would like' is fine; 'he would be happy' is close enough in meaning to be acceptable. I think :-?.